There was an old TV commercial for
one of the Big Box stores that really hit me. It was an ad selling garden tools
and mulch, and at the end of the commercial, the tagline was something like
this: “It’s not just your yard. It’s your own little piece of the planet.”

That’s how I remember it, anyway.
And that’s weird for several reasons, including the fact that I almost never
watch commercials (that’s what the remote control is for), and I’m certainly
not a huge fan of yard work. I am, however, ridiculously attached to the small
scrap of grass behind our house that is our backyard.

When the weather cooperates, our
yard makes our house seem ten times bigger. The backyard provides more usable space,
a place to relax and a little touch of Mother Nature. It’s a literal breath of
fresh air.

I was reminded of how much I miss
our backyard during the winter while working on this issue, which spotlights
green roofs. I can understand the desire to increase usable space, but
vegetative systems can bring so much more to the rooftop than aesthetics. They
can help minimize storm water runoff, expand the natural habitat for birds and
other wildlife, and help roofs perform more efficiently over a longer lifespan.
From The Wharf in D.C. to a Manhattan skyscraper to home on an island in the
state of Washington, the green roofs profiled in this issue are getting
attention for all the right reasons.

When it comes to providing a haven
for the birds and the bees, green roofs are the stars of the show, but every
roof has the potential to last longer, conserve energy and help the planet. The
industry is taking a leading role in educating the public and government on the
benefits of long-lasting, high-performing roofs. In this issue, Tom Hutchinson,
Louisa Hart and Marcin Pazera explore the importance of designing and
installing thermally efficient products and systems — and documenting their
performance.

The roof is the most crucial part
of the building envelope, and roof performance is a critical component of a
building’s energy footprint. In this industry, durability and sustainability
have become the watchwords. And that’s important because when you pull up
Google Earth on your computer, what do you see? Roofs.

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May/June 2020

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About Roofing

Roofing is a national publication that unravels, investigates and analyzes how to properly design, install and maintain a roof system. Through the voices of professionals in the field, Roofing’s editorial provides a unique perspective.